Page 6 of Marrying a Cowboy

Chapter Three

Emma

Emma tried notto groan at the sound of her mother’s voice. Of course, she just had to come over right when Emma was having a good time. Just when she realized that she might have misjudged Austin. Her mother always ruinedeverything.

“Hello, Mother,” Emma said, turning and giving her mom a forced smile. “This is Austin. He’s Thomas’ friend from Montana. Austin, this is my mother, JezebelGeorge.”

Austin extended his hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said, giving her mom one of his amazing, set-her-at-ease smiles. Even though it wasn’t directed at her, Emma melted just a bit. How could someone from a small-town ranch have such perfect teeth? Andlips?

Heat rushed across her skin as she dropped her gaze. What was the matter with her? Was she serious? She was really losing her mind. Perhaps she should have run away earlier. It would have saved her from her mother. AndAustin.

“Austin. From Montana,” her mother repeated as she shook his hand up and down a few times. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.” She dropped his grasp and turned back to Emma. “The ceremony was beautiful, wasn’t it?” she asked, pulling out the chair to the left. “Very inspirational.” She steadied her gaze as she stared atEmma.

Emma tried not to groan. Her mother was anything but subtle. “Really, Mom? Can we talk about this anothertime?”

Her mom rifled around in her purse and pulled out a notebook and pen. No doubt, to scribble something about the ambiance or lighting of the reception. She could paint words in a way that made even the most cynical wedding skeptic tearup.

“If not now, when? Don’t you know how embarrassing it is to write columns for all my friend’s children’s weddings and yet never have the chance to do it for my own daughter?” Her perfect cursive flowed across the crisp paper. “I would figure a wedding would be the perfect place to inspire you to findsomeone.”

Emma tried to stifle a groan. Why did her mom always have to bring this up? Emma already knew that she was a major disappointment—and recently that disappointment just might have spilled over to her job. But it was hard when she was the imperfect product of a perfect person. Why did her mother have to be so good ateverything?

“I think it’s braver to spend time focusing on your career than forcing a relationship that just won’twork.”

Emma whipped around at Austin’s words. She studied him and then glanced back over at her mom who had raised her gaze to meethis.

“Is that so, Mr.Maverick.”

Henodded.

“Have you ever been married?” her motherasked.

Emma peeked over at him when he didn’t respond right away. His skin had paled as he focused on pushing the last bits of food around on his plate with his fork. “Once. Well,almost.”

Emma swallowed. Had it been withGeorgia?

Her mother raised her eyebrows. “Almost? Did you get coldfeet?”

Austin’s jaw muscles twitched as it seemed like he was going to bore holes into the tabletop in front ofhim.

“Mom, stop. You just met the guy. Geez.” Emma pushed her chair back from the table. “Do you want to dance?” she asked, staring down at Austin. Anything to get away from her mother’s ridiculousquestions.

He hesitated and then nodded. “Sure.”

In ten steps, they reached the dance floor and Emma turned to focus on Austin. She suddenly felt really stupid that she’d just asked him to dance. “We don’t really haveto—”

But he’d extended his arms, halting her words. “I didn’t go to all those barn dances fornothing.”

Emma raised her eyebrows as she stepped toward him, trying to ignore just how good he smelled. He wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her close. His warm hand on her back sent shivers across her skin. What was she doing? She should be running. Far away from all ofthis.

“Barn dances?” she breathed out, hoping he hadn’t noticed how his proximity was sending her senseshaywire.

“It’s a joke.” He leaned closer to her and she held her breath. “There weren’t alot.” When he pulled back, his smile caused butterflies to flit around herstomach.

She forced a laugh. Anything to cover up how her emotions couldn’t seem to process Austin Maverick atall.

His expression stilled as he peered down at her. “So, your momreallywants you to getmarried.”

In those few words, Emma found her sanity again. Anything to do with her mother had a way of bringing her back to reality. She sighed and studied the elderly couple dancing to the side them. “Her. My job. Apparently, Emma, the single girl, just doesn’t cut itanymore.”

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